HUGE glove save by 🐺 and then aspiring goaltender Dennis Gilbert helps his boy out. Something, something highlight of the night. @TheAHL #JoinTheHerd pic.twitter.com/8bKeNHSxFf
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 16, 2022
JP with the first ever Wranglers goal, things you love to see! #JoinTheHerd pic.twitter.com/Y6gKyp6M2d
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 16, 2022
2nd Period Highlight: Phillips gets us within two going into the 3rd on the powerplay! #JoinTheHerd pic.twitter.com/wNdriCygMV
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 16, 2022
Highlights and comments
See all the highlights from the first ever Wranglers game! What a fun afternoon of hockey. See you all tomorrow!#JoinTheHerd pic.twitter.com/B1l8RjzaZh
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 16, 2022
Jeremie Poirier scored the first goal in Wranglers history, hear from him after the game!#JoinTheHerd pic.twitter.com/4FysxHGQ1x
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 16, 2022
Matthew Phillips speaks with the media following his two-goal performance against Coachella Valley.#JoinTheHerd pic.twitter.com/DZAQIjHAyX
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 16, 2022
Hear from Head Coach Mitch Love following a 6-5 loss to the Firebirds. #JoinTheHerd pic.twitter.com/7o1UmLifRe
— Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) October 16, 2022
Wranglers lines
Radim Zohorna – Ben Jones – Martin Pospisil
Mitch McLain – Cole Schwindt – Adam Klapka
Brett Sutter – Clark Bishop – Walker Duehr
Jeremie Poirier – Nicolas Meloche
Yan Kuznetsov – Ilya Solovyov
Oscar Dansk
Stray thoughts
- My apologies for the delayed publish time on this recap. I’d usually have this up in the early evening after a matinee, but I had to leave the Saddledome a little early to attend an AJHL game down in Okotoks. I’m thankful for all your interest in our Wranglers coverage here at FlamesNation — Paige and I are so excited for this season. We’ve seen your feedback about having more coverage of Wranglers skates, and we’re going to do our best. I wish there was a train out to WinSport …
- There’s been a lot of talk about the Flames’ brass getting a better look at the team’s prospects with the AHL club in town. It’s not as though the club didn’t pay attention to the Stockton Heat — the opposite — but it certainly streamlines the whole process to have the Wranglers playing out of the ‘Dome. Among those in attendance on Sunday: Martin Gelinas, Ron Sutter, Jordan Sigalet, and Brett Sutter’s dad.
Darryl Sutter taking in his son's first game as Calgary Wranglers captain here at the Saddledome. pic.twitter.com/jhoyAEVE5Y
— Mike Gould (@miketgould) October 16, 2022
- For my money, Jeremie Poirier might be the Wranglers’ single most talented player with the puck on his stick — and that’s saying a lot, given his teammates include Matthew Phillips, Jakob Pelletier, and Connor Zary. But his confidence with the puck is off the charts. I wasn’t sure if he’d spend the whole season with the Wranglers or if he might see some time in the ECHL, but … nope. He’s here to stay.
- The Wranglers changed their goal song! Thankfully, it’s no longer Travis Tritt’s “T-R-O-U-B-L-E”, which the club used during its exhibition clash against the U of C Dinos. We were told the players wanted something a little more upbeat, and we ended up hearing a remix of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove” as the celebratory tune on Sunday. The verdict: it works.
- We also received word the Wranglers moved every ticket they made available for Sunday’s game. That lower bowl was full. One common refrain heard: not enough concession lines. We’ll see how the ‘Dome staff adjust for the next Sunday game. Those sweet “Happy Hour” prices will be in effect every single Sunday for both the Hitmen and Wranglers.
- By the way, Darryl got to watch his son rack up three assists in his Wranglers debut. Not bad for a 35-year-old who managed just 19 points in 65 games with the Ontario Reign last season. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Sutter log a ton of minutes in all situations with the Wranglers this season — and perhaps parlay his increased role into another AHL deal with the club. That’s a long way down the line, though.
- Martin Pospisil is healthy after dealing with a minor injury during training camp, and he was an absolute nuisance for the Firebirds on Sunday. He’s one of the best bleep-disturbers in the AHL. Picked up an assist on the first-ever Wranglers goal, too!
- Prediction time. After lacklustre season debuts, last year’s super rookies Dustin Wolf and Jakob Pelletier both exceed expectations in their next outings. They’re both too talented to keep at bay for long.
- One more: Sandra Prusina did a fantastic job in her first game as the play-by-play voice of the Wranglers. She’s a professional in every sense of the word and it’s been a pleasure to broadcast games alongside her with the Dinos to start this season. I can’t say enough about how the Wranglers hit it out of the park by hiring her. In case you read this, Sandra — terrific work, keep it up, and thank you for being a great mentor.